Competencies

Manufacture of key components

Electrolysis cells and stacks

• Characterization of electrode materials
• Manufacture of electrolysis cells and stacks
• Manufacture and testing of short stacks for electrochemical water purification and accompanying hydrogen production
• Automation, upscaling of stack production
• Long-term testing of SOE components and stacks

Membranes and membrane reactors

• Development of nanoporous membranes
• Upscaling of membrane preparation up to industrial scale including production of samples
• Development of membrane reactors for the synthesis of methane, methanol and other products
• Use of membranes for hydrogen dosing, separation, purification, and for storage
• Conceptualization and equipment of pilot plants

Catalyst supports, catalysts and reactors

• Selection and development of catalysts and catalyst support structures, e.g. iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts for the synthesis of higher alcohols
• Characterization of catalysts and reaction products
• Development of modular reactor concepts
• Modeling and simulation of flow processes
• Reactor testing

Development and optimization of electrolysis processes

• Modeling of the operating behavior of electrolysis stacks
• Thermomechanical analysis of stress mechanisms in electrolysis stacks
• Simulation of heat transfer and flow processes
• Development of innovative process concepts, e.g. coupling of co-electrolysis and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
• Modeling of process steps and overall processes
• Implementation of processes at lab and pilot scale, e.g. electrochemical treatment of mining and pit water for use in power-to-X processes
• Conducting of feasibility studies, e.g. assessment of the emission reduction potential of hydrogen-based direct-reduction for steelmaking
• Testing of prototype plants, e.g. production of waxes from biogas or from CO₂ separated from lime plants

Process assessment

• Energetic analysis of process concepts
• Techno-economic assessment of power-to-X methods for the production of hydrogen, hydrocarbons and ammonia
• Sustainability assessment

Monitoring and safety control

• Consulting and development of condition-oriented maintenance concepts (simulation, measuring techniques, data processing, energy supply, integration)
• Development and provision of reliable sensors, electronics and adapted monitoring systems
• Performance of field tests, certification

Analytics

• Multiscale characterization of complex hierarchical materials using 3D nanoanalytics
• Visualization of processes (hydrogen release, crack propagation, etc.) using high-resolution analytical methods (REM, TEM, nanoXCT), combined with operando and in-situ experimental designs